About the PRI

The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.  

The PRI’s three distinct capabilities relate to the core elements of the PRI’s approach to achieving a sustainable financial system. 

• Translate RI (Responsible Investment) thought leadership into insights and practical support that is tailored to what signatories need to progress their RI practice 

• Convene our vast network to create opportunities for collaborative action 

• Harness our global scale to influence policymakers and regulators to effect system change 

Job Description  

The Global Policy team provides analysis and recommendations on sustainable finance, the wider economic policy enabling environment and policy reforms to international standard setters, signatories and policymakers, to support a regulatory and investment environment consistent with the implementation of PRI’s Mission Statement and the Six Principles. The team’s work includes developing analysis, policy positions, public statements and submissions, and is conducted through evidence-based collaborative projects with PRI signatories and other stakeholders. 

The Policy Specialist (EMDE Transition and Capital Flows) will support PRI’s delivery of work to strengthen the connection between investment flow data, investor decision-making and policy action in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The role will be a core delivery resource for PRI’s structured engagement with financial institutions, policymakers, multilateral organisations and international and development finance institutions, using capital flow data and related analysis to identify barriers to capital flows and opportunities for enabling policy reform.  

The role will focus on helping investors and policymakers better understand actual versus perceived risks in EMDE transition investments, improve the usability and relevance of investment flow data, and support more informed capital allocation and policy decisions. 

The successful candidate will report to the Head of Economic Policy within the Global Policy Team, working closely with Global Policy colleagues, regional policy teams, PRI’s Expert Group, PRI Initiatives teams and external partners to support PRI’s contribution to scaling capital flows to EMDE transitions and reducing system-level risks associated with delayed or disorderly transition pathways. 

Core Responsibilities:  

Support the delivery of PRI’s EMDE transition and capital flows workstream, contributing to research, analysis, stakeholder engagement and project delivery in line with the team’s business plan and agreed grant or organisational commitments.  

• Develop research, analysis and recommendations on policy, market and investment barriers affecting capital flows to EMDE transition opportunities.  

• Use investment flow data to help identify where policy, regulatory, financial or market conditions may be constraining capital allocation to EMDE transition investments.  

• Analyse how different institutional investor types, including asset owners, asset managers, and service providers assess EMDE transition opportunities, and translate those differences into targeted policy insights and engagement recommendations. 

• Support engagement with policymakers, multilateral organisations, international financial institutions and development finance institutions on how financial flow analysis and investor insights can inform more effective enabling policy frameworks for EMDE transition investment. 

• Support structured engagement with investors to understand EMDE transition risks and opportunities and translate investor feedback into policy-relevant insights. 

• Prepare high-quality policy briefings, presentations, discussion papers, meeting materials and communications for internal and external audiences, including PRI executives, signatories, policymakers and partners. 

• Support investor capacity-building sessions and engagement activities with signatories and policymakers on scaling EMDE transition investments. 

• Work collaboratively across PRI teams, including Global Policy, regional policy teams, Markets, Initiatives and Research colleagues, to align the EMDE capital flows work with PRI’s wider economic policy, sustainable finance and policy engagement priorities.  

• Monitor relevant developments in EMDE transition finance, sustainable finance policy, economic policy reform, multilateral finance, investment barriers and capital mobilisation, and identify implications for PRI’s policy engagement and signatory support. 

• Support project management, including work planning, stakeholder mapping, tracking deliverables, managing risks and dependencies, and providing regular updates to the Head of Economic Policy and relevant internal governance or funder processes. 

• Represent PRI externally where appropriate, including in meetings, workshops, webinars and events with investors, policymakers and partner organisations 

• Undertaking other duties relevant to the role and the work of the Global Policy Team, as required. 

Person Specification & Selection Criteria 

• Strong understanding of the investment industry, the financial sector, the structure and operation of the investment chain, and how investors assess policy, regulatory, macroeconomic and market conditions when allocating capital.  

• Understanding of institutional investor portfolio construction, including distinctions between asset owners and asset managers and across asset classes fiduciary considerations and regulation.  

• Experience or demonstrable capability of policy analysis in sustainable finance, international development, climate finance or a related area, with a strong knowledge of the role of policy in shaping capital flows and EMDE transitions. 

• Knowledge of MDB/DFI mobilisation models, blended structures, guarantees, risk-sharing instruments, local currency and FX risk issues, and the limitations of derisking approaches in creating investable opportunities. 

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret quantitative and qualitative evidence, and translate findings into practical insights for investor and policy audiences.  

• Excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills. 

• Excellent networking, relationship management and interpersonal skills and experience of building strong and productive relationships externally and across teams. 

• Good project management skills with experience in delivering complex projects successfully. 

• A proactive, organised and solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities  

• A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others & committed to fostering an inclusive environment. 

• Demonstrates a growth mindset, actively pursuing continuous professional and personal development. 

• Education or training in economics, finance, public policy, international affairs, sustainable finance, development finance, climate policy or a related discipline, with demonstrable experience of EMDE policy transitions or multilateral development finance. 

• As this is a global role, international travel may be required.  

• Language skills, other than English, are desirable 

We particularly welcome candidates from under-represented groups, including Black, Asian, and other People of Colour, those with visible or non-visible disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates and those who are neurodivergent. 

N.B. We reserve the right to close a vacancy before the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities.